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Palm Beach Atlantic University

Palm Beach Atlantic University Athletic Dept
901 S. Flagler Dr. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Division 2 Florida Southeast
Private Small Competitive team

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Laurie Podmilsak

Palm Beach Atlantic University athletic director Courtney Lovely Evans announced Laurie Podmilsak as the head coach of PBA women's lacrosse in May 2024 after Podmilsak served as the interim head coach of the women's lacrosse program for the 2024 season.


Podmilsak took over the program in December of 2023 and guided the Sailfish lacrosse program to three victories in 2024. The Sailfish earned home victories over Catawba, Holy Family, and North Greenville in the non-conference portion of their schedule. Every team the 'Fish played in their Sunshine State Conference schedule was nationally ranked but PBA played their best games of the year against No. 7 Rollins and No. 11 Embry-Riddle, pushing them to the brink before falling in the final minutes.


"It is with great anticipation that I accept the permanent head women's lacrosse coach position at Palm Beach Atlantic University," said Podmilsak. "It was easily the best part of my day to spend time with our team as interim head coach this past season. They demonstrated accountability, integrity, love, and respect to me and their teammates. I am committed to the leading PBA women's lacrosse program in competitive and academic excellence. I remain grateful to Courtney Lovely Evans and TJ Budd for their trust in me to lead this incredible team. I pray that God will use me to inspire and support our team to be faithful, confident, passionate, and purpose-driven women."


Under the leadership of Podmilsak at the helm of the program, PBA attacker Rachel Delate set the school's single-season goal-scoring record with 49. Sailfish goalie Courtney Rausch also set records by breaking the school's career saves record this season with 248.

Podmilsak has previous head coaching experience at Howard University where she started the lacrosse program from 1998-2000. Since her time in the collegiate game, Podmilsak has been director and coach of Future Elite Lacrosse Club in Fairfax, Virginia and Utah Express Lacrosse in Park City, Utah.


Before becoming a coach, Podmilsak played for four seasons at James Madison where her teams were ranked in the top-10 every season. She graduated from James Madison with a degree in psychology teacher education and a master's degree in special education from George Mason. Podmilsak was named to the Potomac Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2013.

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Chelsea Lea

Chelsea Lea joined the Sailfish women's lacrosse staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2023 season.


Prior to joining the coaching staff, Chelsea played four years at PBA and was a team leader during her time with the Sailfish. She played in 32 games, starting 22, as a midfielder. She scored 22 career goals and added 8 assists while winning 102 draw controls. She was named to the SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll twice, a two time Provost's List member, and a four time Athletic Director's List member while graduating with a degree in exercise science.

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